Question

How do point and shoot cameras differ from SLR cameras

Answer 1

What is seen in the viewfinder is not an exact replica of the image that will be taken in point and shoot cameras .

Answer 2

With the SLR camera when you press the shutter button the mirror will directly flip upwards and the light that was being re-routed to your eye instead gets straight to the camera sensor. With the compact camera, it tries to estimate what light will reach the sensor. Thats just one main thing about both of the cameras. There is many more but that is what you should really know about them and how they are different. Hoped this helped. :)